Well for those of you that aren't in the Waco area, I have been asked to start writing reviews for the City Review. The City Review is a free paper here in town about local artist, shops, etc. If you are in Waco, I suggest picking one up to see what is going on around town. With that said here is my first review for the paper that is coming out in a few weeks. Just a quick side note, I got to see the Kills and JEFF the Brotherhood this week in Dallas. They were both amazing live, and not to mention I got to see my rock crush Alison Mosshart of the Kills perform. She is amazing on stage, she is very sultry, sexy, and seems like she just takes up the whole stage when she performs. Oh yeah, I almost forgot..............I GOT TO MEET HER AFTER THE SHOW!!!Yes it was an amazing night, and she is very nice and very cool to meet. If you are wondering, yes I am still acting like a little fan boy two days later.
Well, I am back again to give you a few albums to take a look at. Hopefully they are new to you as they were to me when I first bought them. I did however have a nice day off the past week and went to Austin and hit up a few record stores that I think if you have a chance you should get check out. For vintage and new music take a trip to End of an Ear at 2209 S. 1st or check them out online at www.endofanear.com. The best little find I had of the day was Friends of Sound Records located in the alley behind 1704 S. Congress or check them out at www.friendsofsound.com , and they had a bunch of hard to find vinyl that any music lover would want, let’s just say I got Pink Floyd the Wall and Led Zeppelin #4 and both of which were the original vinyl in great condition from the 70’s. If you buy music, support the independent record stores when you can, these places make sure to keep good music playing and in their stores. Now on to the reviews for this edition.
We Are Augustines- Rise Ye Sunken Ships
I first ran across We Are Augustines at the Austin City Limits Music Festival this past fall. I was actually seeing Gomez and all I heard was the band coming from the smaller stage so I had to walk over and check them out. The two piece band from Brooklyn was great live. They had a great presence on stage and it came across in their music. I finally had a chance to get to listen to their debut album off of Oxcart Records called Rise Ye Sunken Ships. The interesting part of this album is the fact that the songs actually originated from their first band, which broke up before they could record their second album. If you are looking for guitar driven, well written lyrics, and emotion behind their music, you need to pick up this album. Over the two years of recording this album they had to deal with a band that broke up, a brother lost to drug addiction, and having to start a new band. This raw emotion comes out in their music, and especially in the song Book of James, about guitarist Billy McCarthy’s brother that died from drugs. Another great song on the album is Chapel Song that another emotional song on this album. The one thing that I take away from We Are Augustines is the fact they pour out every emotion they have into their music. (8 out of 10 stars)
Gomez- Whatever’s On Your Mind
I have been listening to Gomez for a while now, and this is their 7th studio album from the band from Southport, England. Yes, you did read that correctly, they are a band named Gomez from England. The funny way they got their band name was due to a sign in front of their first gig stating “Gomez in here” to let their friend Gomez where the gig was. Of course the name stuck and they have kept it ever since. What I love about this band is the dynamic they have, they actually have three different lead singers, and four of them are song writers in the band as well. So over much of all of their albums you can hear a different lead singer or a different style to their music. Whatever’s On Your Mind keeps with the rest of Gomez’s albums they have released and they have continued to keep their style. This is another strong album from a band that is starting to reach veteran status in music. I have to say nothing stands out on this album, but it is a strong and very listenable album. (4 ½ out of 10 stars)
Los Campesinos!- Hello Sadness
Los Campesinos! is a indie pop band from Cardiff, Wales and this is their 4th full studio album. Sometimes LC can be an acquired taste musically, especially if you aren’t into this whole Indie Pop scene that is sprouting up. I actually enjoy their music and this would be my second favorite album of theirs next to We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed. LC! Has always wanted to shake their “indie pop” label and this has got to be their darkest album they have had lyrically. Although listening to the music you wouldn’t think it was that dark. Most of their music are romantically driven lyrically, and this album doesn’t stray from that formula. This is their fourth straight album that is great musically and lyrically, and this is coming from a young band. Some of the shine has worn off them since coming out, but being a young band I feel they can continue to grow and get better. (5 out of 10 stars)
JEFF the Brotherhood- We Are The Champions
JEFF the Brotherhood is a two piece rock band of brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall, from Nashville. This is their 6th studio album. They have been getting a lot of exposure as of late, they were named Spin’s must hear acts at 2011’s SXSW, best spring tours of 2011, and Paste Magazines “best of what’s next”. I got to see JEFF the Brotherhood open up for The Kills this past week, and they were awesome. If you want a record that rocks from beginning to end, you need to pick this album up. From the first song Hey Friend to the last song Wastoid Girl, the brothers decided to make sure everyone knows they can play with the big boys. (7 out 10 stars)
For some new and older reviews check out my blog at http://kevinsmusicandmisery.blogspot.com or follow me on twitter @kevinhuffine for mostly random stuff and random music thoughts. Shop local and buy vinyl when you can.
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